China says the Pacific should not be an arena for geopolitical rivalry

China has no interest in competing for influence in the Pacific and wants the region to remain a platform for international cooperation rather than geopolitical rivalry, China's Chargé d'Affaires to Fiji Wang Yuan says.

Speaking during a press conference yesterday, Mr Wang responded to questions from this masthead about the recent announcement by the Quadrilateral (India, United States, Australia and Japan) Foreign Ministers to support the development of a port facility in Fiji. 

International political analysts labelled the announcement by Quad member countries 'a move to counter China's influence in the region'.

Mr Wang said China respected Fiji's sovereign decisions and maintained that infrastructure partnerships should promote regional development rather than strategic competition.

"China has no interest in competing for influence pursuing so-called geopolitical presence."

He said China respected the role of other countries in the Pacific and remained open to broader cooperation.

"We respect the traditional role of other nations in the region and remain open and inclusive toward trilateral cooperation."

"We firmly believe that the collective efforts of our countries can create synergy."

Mr Wang said China opposed exclusive blocs and confrontational approaches in the region.

"We oppose forming exclusive groups and engaging in bloc confrontation."

"Together we can transform the South Pacific into a ground state for international cooperation, not an arena for geopolitical rivalry."

He noted that during Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's visit to China in 2024, discussions included cooperation in port development and maritime infrastructure.

"Both sides will continue to build a better synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the development strategy of Fiji."

Mr Wang said China had also taken note of Fiji's plans to develop a new port facility and reiterated that cooperation on infrastructure should contribute to regional peace, stability and prosperity.